This has nothing to do with 'LDAW' or 'Life'.  It does happen after 'Trust', though.  Sorry, my time lines are all screwed up.  For once, I'm not using a song for the title.

Dedication:  This fanfic is dedicated to the Parisites.  Also dedicated to Robbie McNeill and Roxann Dawson for bringing the characters of Tom Paris and B'Elanna Torres to life, and to the writers for creating such terrific characters.

Disclaimer:  Tom Paris, B'Elanna Torres and everything else in the Star Trek universe are owned by Paramount, but the words, ideas, and Kassandra Kim are owned by me.  Archive, distribute, whatever, just keep my name and disclaimer attached.  Comments, good and bad, are welcome and appreciated at: Mara_J_Antilles@hotmail.com.

P/T! P/T! P/T! P/T! P/T! P/T! P/T! P/T! P/T! P/T! P/T! P/T! P/T! P/T! P/T!

Wishes
~~~~~~~~
(c) 1997, By: Claire Daniels

    Once upon a time in the quadrant of Alpha, there was a princess who lived in a big castle in the kingdom of Kessik.  Princess 'Lanna was very sad and unhappy because she had no friends.  People were scared of her because she looked like a mean person, but she was actually a very nice person once you got to know her.  She tried to make friends with people, but no one wanted to be her friend.  Her parents had both deserted her because she wasn't a normal child, so she lived in her castle with her guardians, Lord Chakotay and Lady Kathryn.
    In the kingdom of Francisco, there lived a prince.  He and his father, the King, didn't get along.  The King was disappointed because the prince cheated in a contest, so the King banished him from the kingdom until he could prove himself worthy enough to take over the throne.  Prince Thomas vowed that he would return to the kingdom and make King Owen proud of him so he could take his rightful place in the Royal Navy and as ruler of the kingdom.  Prince Thomas mounted his steed, Voyager, and left Francisco.  Prince Thomas rode for a while, and eventually, he came to a stream in the middle of a forest.  He tied Voyager to a tree by the stream, and set off to explore.
    Now, the kingdom of Kessik was very close to the forest, and Princess 'Lanna had decided to go exploring.  She rode her horse, Maquis, down to the stream, and tied her to a tree.  This forest was Princess 'Lanna's favorite spot to come and think.  She liked to pick flowers and make crowns.  All princesses wore crowns.  Princess 'Lanna was by the stream gathering flowers to make into a crown when she lost her balance on a slippery rock and fell in.  Princess 'Lanna let out a scream as she tumbled head first into the water.
    Prince Thomas heard a scream.  *Sounds like someone's in trouble.* he thought, *I'd better go and help them.*  Prince Thomas ran through the forest in the direction of the scream.  He finally arrived at the stream and saw who had been screaming.  Princess 'Lanna was clinging to a boulder in the middle of the stream.  Her shoulder-length dark hair was wringing wet, and it clung haphazardly to her face in thick sections.  Prince Thomas stifled a laugh.  He waded into the stream and offered a hand to the sputtering princess.  Princess 'Lanna took the hand he offered, and allowed him to pull her to the safety of the bank.  Prince Thomas watched as she wrung out her hair and her dress.  Even as wet as she was, she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.  Her eyes were the color of smokey topaz, and he had to restrain himself from smoothing her beautiful dark hair out of her face.
    Back on the bank, Princess 'Lanna put her walls back up, but she couldn't seem to concentrate.  Prince Thomas' azure eyes seemed to bore into her.  She knew she had to get away from him.  Her mind was starting to cloud.  She tried her best to appear regal, but it wasn't easy when your hair was soaking wet and you looked like a drowned rat.  She gathered up her basket of flowers and started off in the direction of her horse.
 "Wait!" Prince Thomas yelled taking off after her, "Where are you going?"
 "I'm wet and cold, and I'd best get home before I catch a death of a cold.  Thank you for rescuing me." she said, and resumed her hike back to where she had left Maquis.
 "I don't even know your name." Prince Thomas said.
 "I am Princess 'Lanna of Kessik," she replied in her most regal tone, "and you are...?"
 "Prince Thomas of Francisco." he said bowing low, "I'm pleased to make your acquaintance."
 "Well, Prince Thomas of Francisco," she said as she mounted Maquis, "farewell."
 "Will I see you again?" he asked.
 "Tomorrow, at sunset, by the stream." she called over her shoulder as Maquis took off at a trot.
     "Tomorrow." he called after her.
    Princess 'Lanna rode back to the castle.  She stabled Maquis, and went to her room to dry off and change into some dry clothes.  She still couldn't seem to get Prince Thomas out of her mind.  She kept seeing his azure eyes and golden hair.  She fell asleep that night wondering if she was on his mind as well.
 

    * * * * *

   Princess 'Lanna sat in the drawing room with Lord Chakotay and Lady Kathryn and attempted to listen to the latest song her bard had written, but her heart simply wasn't in it.  Prince Thomas had told her that he couldn't see her anymore.  She had told him that it didn't matter that he had been banished from his kingdom.  Then he had told her that he had never really loved her at all.  He was only pretending so that she would fall in love with him...
 "A visitor for Your Highness." a servant announced, snapping her out of her thoughts.
 "Send them in." Lord Chakotay replied, and for a fleeting moment Princess 'Lanna hoped that it might be Prince Thomas to tell her he did love her and it was all a lie, but it was not Prince Thomas.
    The servant led a man in to see her.  He had dark hair and dark eyes.  He bowed low before the three of them.  Princess 'Lanna didn't like this man.  Something about him made alarms go off in her head.
 "I am Sir Vorick of Vulcan." he said, kissing Lady Kathryn's hand and then Princess 'Lanna's.
 "Greetings, Sir Vorick." replied Lord Chakotay, "Welcome to Kessik."
 "Thank you, Lord Chakotay." he replied, "I have come to ask for Princess 'Lanna's hand  in marriage."
 "'Lanna is free to make her own decision about who she will marry." Lady Kathryn replied.
 "I am sorry, Sir Vorick," Princess 'Lanna replied, "I am sure your intentions are noble, but I will not marry you."
 "What is this nonsense?" Sir Vorick exclaimed, "Tell her that she is making a mistake!"
 "'Lanna will make the decision." Lord Chakotay said firmly.
 "No one turns down Sir Vorick of Vulcan!" he exclaimed, "I always get what I want, and I want Princess 'Lanna for my wife!"
    Sir Vorick gave a signal and his guards rushed in and tied up Lord Chakotay and Lady Kathryn.  Sir Vorick grabbed Princess 'Lanna and  carried her out to his carriage.
 "You will be my wife," he said, "and Kessik will be mine!"
 

    * * * * *

    Prince Thomas was miserable.  He desperately wanted to be with Princess 'Lanna, but Lord Chakotay had found out about them and told him to stay away from her.  He didn't want Princess 'Lanna hurt by a scoundrel.  Prince Thomas hadn't wanted to lie to Princess 'Lanna, but he had no choice.  They couldn't be together.  That had been a week ago and Prince Thomas' heart felt like it was about to break.  he knew he couldn't be without Princess 'Lanna, and he intended to go to Kessik and tell Lord Chakotay exactly that.
    Prince Thomas mounted Voyager and rode for Kessik.  When he got to the castle, he found Lord Chakotay and Lady Kathryn tied up.  He didn't see Princess 'Lanna anywhere.  He untied Lord Chakotay and Lady Kathryn.
 "What's happened?" he asked.
 "It's Sir Vorick," Lady Kathryn replied, "he's captured Princess 'Lanna."
 "I must go and rescue her." Prince Thomas said.
 "Prince Thomas," Lord Chakotay's voice stopped him as he headed for the door.
 "I love her.  I want her to be my wife if she'll have me."
 "Are you asking for her hand?" Lord Chakotay asked in his most intimidating tone.
    Prince Thomas looked him squarely in the eye.
 "Yes." he answered.
 "If she'll have you, then you have our blessing, Prince Thomas." Lady Kathryn said.
    "Thank you." Prince Thomas replied, and headed for Vulcan.
    Meanwhile, Sir Vorick and Princess 'Lanna had arrived at his castle, Sakari.  Sakari was a huge stone castle with many fierce stone monsters on the outside of it.  It made Princess 'Lanna shudder.  Sir Vorick locked her up in the dungeon, and Princess 'Lanna hoped against hope that Prince Thomas would come and rescue her, but she knew he wouldn't.  He didn't love her.  Princess 'Lanna huddled in a corner of the damp, dark dungeon.  *What will I do now?* she wondered.
    Prince Thomas arrived at Sakari.  He cautiously crept inside and made his way to Sir Vorick's banquet hall.  He hid in the shadows watching to see what would happen next and waiting for his chance to rescue Princess 'Lanna.
    Sir Vorick had summoned Bishop Tuvok.  When Bishop Tuvok arrived, he was led in by a servant.
 "Ah, Bishop Tuvok," Sir Vorick said, "I'm so glad you could come."
 "Why have you summoned me?" Bishop Tuvok inquired.
 "I would like you to perform my wedding." Sir Vorick replied.
 "Your wedding?  I do not see anyone else here, Sir Vorick.  Who are you planning to marry?"
 "I believe you know her.  Princess 'Lanna of Kessik will be my wife, and together we will take over the land." Sir Vorick answered with an evil laugh.
 "Princess 'Lanna?" Bishop Tuvok said with a raised eyebrow, "Princess 'Lanna would never agree to marry you."
    Sir Vorick said nothing.  He rang a bell and Prince Thomas watched as Princess 'Lanna was led into the banquet hall.  Her dress was torn and her hair was tangled.  Prince Thomas' breath caught.  She was the most beautiful sight he had ever seen.  Sir Vorick took her hand.
 "You may start the ceremony, Bishop." he said.
 "I will *never* marry you." Princess 'Lanna said through clenched teeth as she tore her hand from his grasp, "You will never have Kessik."
    Prince Thomas smiled.  That was his Princess 'Lanna.  Sir Vorick grabbed her arm roughly.
 "I've tried to be nice, but you leave me no choice.  Kessik will be mine!  No one will stop me!"
    Prince Thomas leapt out of the shadows, his sword drawn.
 "Think again, Sir Vorick!" he said, "Princess 'Lanna is too good for the likes of you."
    Sir Vorick charged Prince Thomas, but Prince Thomas blocked his attack.  The two fought while Princess 'Lanna watched in shock.  If Prince Thomas didn't love her, why had he come to rescue her?  Princess 'Lanna was very afraid.  Sir Vorick was much stronger than Prince Thomas, and had disarmed him.
 "Thomas," a man shouted as he tossed him his sword, "catch!"
    Prince Thomas caught the sword and in one fluid motion, disarmed Sir Vorick and brought his blade to Sir Vorick's throat.  Sir Vorick's eyes changed from cold and hard to scared and pleading.
 "Don't worry, I'm not going to kill you.  That's your way, not mine.  You will accompany me back to Francisco and be my servant."
 "I will serve you well, Your Highness."
    Princess 'Lanna watched as the man hugged Prince Thomas.
 "Son."
 "Father."
 "You have earned your rightful place in the Royal Navy, and from this moment, all of Francisco is yours to rule."
    Prince Thomas was stunned.
 "I will do my best to make you proud of me, Father."
 "You already have."
 "One question, Father.  How did you know I was here?"
 "I told him." Lady Kathryn said as she and Lord Chakotay entered the hall.
 "'Lanna, are you alright?" Lady Kathryn asked.
 "Yes, I'm fine." Princess 'Lanna replied, still in shock.
    Lady Kathryn looked at King Owen, Lord Chakotay and Bishop Tuvok.  They understood.  Prince Thomas and Princess 'Lanna needed a few minutes alone.  They went to the far end of the hall.
 "Are you alright?" Prince Thomas asked.
 "I thought you didn't love me." Princess 'Lanna said.
 "I was a fool." Prince Thomas said dropping to one knee before her and taking her hand, "Princess 'Lanna, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife and ruling Francisco at my side?"
 "I will," she replied blinking back tears, "but we will not be ruling Francisco alone.  We will join the kingdoms of Kessik and Francisco and rule them together."
 "Princess 'Lanna and Prince Thomas were married and returned to rule Kessik and Francisco, Sir Vorick served them well, and they all lived happily ever after." Harry Kim finished.
 "That was a nice story, Daddy." Kassandra Kim said.
 "I'm glad you liked it.  Now, lie down so your mother can come and tuck you in." Harry said bending down to kiss her on the forehead.  Kassandra had his dark hair, but she had inherited her mother's blue eyes and elfin features.
 "Goodnight, Daddy." Kassandra said as Harry left the room.
 "Goodnight, Princess."
 "Kassandra's ready for you to tuck her in." Harry told his wife as he left her room.
 "Okay." Kes said rising from her place on the couch, "You're so good with her." she said as she kissed him.
 "Yeah, well, this daddy stuff isn't so hard." Harry smiled at his wife as she went to tuck their daughter in.
    The next day, Kassandra went down to Engineering, looking for B'Elanna.  She found her reading some reports on the warp nacelles.
 "Hi, Aunt B'Elanna." Kassandra said.
 "Hi, Kassy." B'Elanna replied.
 "Can I ask you a question?"
 "Shoot."
 "When you marry Uncle Tom and live happily ever after, can I be in your wedding?"
    B'Elanna faltered.  *Geez, for such a small child, she sure is perceptive, but then look who her mother is.*  B'Elanna put down her PADD and picked Kassy up.
 "*If* I ever marry Uncle Tom, you'll be the first person I ask." she promised, smiling at her.
    Tom Paris walked into Engineering as B'Elanna was putting Kassy down.
 "Hey, Kassy," he said patting the top of her head and smiling at her, "how're you, Sweetie?"
 "Fine." Kassy replied with a smile.
 "'Lanna, can I talk to you for a minute?"
 "Sure, Tom." she replied.
    Tom and B'Elanna walked off to a corner of Engineering and talked for a few moments.  Kassy watched them, a smile forming on her face as B'Elanna leaned over and hugged then kissed Tom.  After a few moments more, they walked back over to Kassy.
 "Kassy, are you free in about three weeks?"
 "Why?" she asked, even though she already knew.
 "Well," B'Elanna said with a smile, "I need a flower girl for my wedding."
 "Definitely!" Kassy exclaimed, throwing her arms around B'Elanna.
    Harry and Kes walked into Engineering as B'Elanna released Kassy from her hug.
 "What's going on?" Harry asked.
 "Aunt B'Elanna and Uncle Tom are getting married, and I'm gonna be their flower girl!" Kassy said happily.
 "Congratulations." Harry and Kes replied.
 "Thanks." Tom replied with a goofy grin on his face.
 "C'mon," said B'Elanna grabbing Tom's hand, "let's go tell the Captain."
    Tom and B'Elanna, still holding hands, left Engineering with Harry, Kes and Kassy in tow.  Kassy watched Tom and B'Elanna.  They were happy, and she was happy for them.  *Maybe wishes do come true.* Kassy thought, and hurried off to catch up with the four adults.
 

The End

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